Ferry on way to Bainbridge Island hits gray whale in Elliott Bay

Lawmakers in Olympia are trying figure out how the state will fund two new Washington State ferries as MV Hyak will retire in June.

Lawmakers in Olympia are trying figure out how the state will fund...

A ferry on the Seattle to Bainbridge Island run hit a gray whale Tuesday night in Elliott Bay, according to a Washington State Ferries spokesperson.

At 8:18 p.m. the M/V Wenatchee left Colman dock, westbound toward Bainbridge Island. The whale breached in front of the ferry 3 minutes into the trip and the captain didn't see it in time to adjust.

In fact, the captain didn't know the whale was hit and kept going on the trip to Bainbridge, officials said. Passengers in the front of the boat are who spotted the whale about 5 feet off the bow of the boat.

The ferries spokesperson said they are receiving reports of either a dead or injured whale being seen at Pier 66.